Low light shooting, fast focusing in low light, buttons are all in the right place, feels like it's part of me.

Cons:

A bit heavy.

This is one purchase you will never regret. The quality of my photography has improved so much just because I want to live up to this camera. Whether shooting inside of a dance club without flash or outdoors doing a landscape I can only say the results are stunning. I use fast primes and am extremely happy. People will be talking about this camera fondly twenty years from today.

Jan 11, 2012

jirok12944OfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Nov 22, 2006Location: United KingdomPosts: 0

Review Date: Mar 18, 2011

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10

Pros:

AF, FF, high ISO IQ, build

Cons:

after many years with Canon 5D/5dmk2 I finally switched. Canon 5D is good camera, it just for static and controlled environment - landscape, city, product photo, static studio, but when something moves 5D simply can't focus. My keeper rate was like 5% in little action shots. I shoot wide open, DOF is narrow. Unfortunately for me it took very long time to understand that I need different tool. Number of years ago I have tried Canon 1D mk1 and it was spectacular camera with lightening fast and accurate AF, could not afford mk2, 4mpx and x1.3 sensor was the reason to gave it up.

and now, finally, I have everything what needed - FF, pro standard fast AF which works very well. Now I have more keepers in action shots than I need.

Mar 18, 2011

nycandreOfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Apr 23, 2009Location: United StatesPosts: 22

Review Date: Jan 10, 2011

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $2,200.00
| Rating: 9

Pros:

Best low light capability by far over next best, at its price point (best are D3 and D3s at much higher prices)
Too many great features to list, but mostly very photographer-centric touches. For example no need to wade through menus to format a card, just push a safe combination of buttons. And very well designed flash system.

Cons:

Heavy. And loud clicks - not discreet at all! Expensive, even after being a couple years out.

Has a very solid and precise feel. So many great features.. it would take a while to really master them all.

The manual isn't bad but could be more user friendly. Fortunately there are a few good 3rd party manuals around. I recommend ByThom's book, well worth it to figure out a good set of defaults and to understand the various trade offs. Though it could be used in P&S mode ;D

The autofocus is fast and accurate (with the 24-70), the liveview is great for still images and manual lenses. There are plenty of reviews around to extol its virtues. But few to compare it to other competing models. Wariness of losing advertising revenues by being critical of others or getting into brand loyalty issues.

I own and use cams of different manufacturers, and for the price this cam is the best, period. For brervity, let me refer to my one page blog of sort on camera tech, follow up from my comments published in the New York Times http://www.flickr.com/photos/nycandre/4050967137/

Oh did I mention it just takes great photos, especially in low light? This kind of shot would not be possible with lower performing high ISO cameras. Handheld, both subject and myself moving: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nycandre/5345540426/
Exif: ISO 3200 1/125 f/2.8 66mm Nikkor 24-70mm

Switched from Canon 5D Mk ii a week ago. Should have done so much sooner. The 21MP Canon does not even come close to the 12MP Nikon D700. It was very expensive switching from Canon to Nikon because I had the L lens collection and had to build my Nikon system from scratch - but worth every cent. The Nikon D700 is built like a tank and handles like a dream. It's heavier than the Canon but something I can live with. It's now my main camera for wedding photography.

Dec 11, 2010

markbike528OfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Sep 21, 2010Location: United StatesPosts: 0

Review Date: Sep 29, 2010

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $2,100.00
| Rating: 9

Pros:

Manual focusing aids, agree with other positive reviews

Cons:

a bit heavy

It's quite a jump up from D100!
Almost worth it for the LCD alone. I can now tell when I've taken good/bad pics.

I bought the D700 for low light (small-time bands in dingy bars,moshpit, no flash).
Shockingly good to ISO6400. I've only used the flash 3 times on people (at their insistance).
"Did you get the picture?" is a often-asked question.
I leave it in Manual with and let AUTO ISO float up to 6400, no worries.

As a side-light to the low light capability, it really rescues old mirror lenses (fixed at F8), since I can take pics at 1/1000+ in most reasonable light.
Since all mirror lenses for nikon are manual, the manual focus aids (the triangles near the focus dot) help tremendously.
My eyeglass prescription is odd enough that I can't reliably focus by eye, so even with the thin depth of field, I can get sharp pics.

The fact that it is full frame makes it loads of fun with wide lenses (18mm).
For me the full frame is just an added bonus.

The fantastic colors and dynamic range are something I wasn't planning on, but sunsets just pop.

My only "complaint" is it's heft - not bad, but I gotta have a "con" with all the flowery "pro"s.

I'm so glad I didn't wait for this sensor/camera in a smaller body. Having too much fun.

95% Viewfinder, no BKT button, flimsy built in flash(compared to lesser models like the d200 and the d90)

This was my first FX camera, I upgraded from a d90/d200 combo. This is what I replaced the d200 with.

I've used this for about 3 months now and I think I'm well in line for a review.

The camera is great, the build quality is superb, a solid- solid camera.

First thing I noticed when I first used is is the size, bulky but not oversized by any means. It's a good ergonomic kind of bulky.

Second thing is the viewfinder, while it IS very wide (since it's an FX camera) I feel that 95% isn't enough. That took some getting used to.

Third thing was the placement of the DOF button, it's now on top instead of the bottom- easily fixable however(changeable in the settings)

Live View mode in this camera seems to be a tad slow, I found that live view in the d90 was much better and quicker. I don't use this feature much anyway.

The card door is something people usually complain about. I'm not sure how they're handling their d700's but I've yet to encounter a problem with this.

The shutter button isn't all mushy like it in a d200. I enjoyed that about this camera. A sensitive shutter allows me to actuate the camera with minimal shake while using slow shutter speeds.

The built-in flash is great, frees up money for more lenses instead of having to buy another flash or SU-800. very strong flash, and I noticed that the flash itself is different from other flashes from other SLR's.It's got a yellowish tint to it, maybe to make it warmer. I do not, however, like being able to raise to flash when the camera is off. I feel that this is an accident waiting to happen.

Image quality is fantastic. Even up to 6400 ISO, when coupled with quality glass, this camera shines.

A bracketing button on the exterior would be great, I noticed that that was on other "lesser" nikon cameras, again, why has it disappeared on this model?

Custom functions are great with the ability to switch between set ups.

If you're looking for a small bodied(*compared to the other FX nikons) Full Frame camera with fantastic low light, blazing AF speed and accuracy and don't mind the built in flash construction or the smaller viewfinder. Then this is the camera for you.

Jul 21, 2010

e.maxOfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Jul 3, 2007Location: GermanyPosts: 8

Review Date: Jul 6, 2010

Recommend? |
Price paid: $3,962.00

Pros:

correction to previous post

Cons:

Arrrgh, I calculated the wrong price by accident (multiplication instaed of division): of course, it was 1850 Euros / 0,67 which is about 2761 $.

I enter a higher value here to make the average price reflect the correct value.

After 5D and 1D-III I was disappointed of the Canon product policy when they introduced the 5D-II: much too 'heavy' files due to megapixel count, much too slow camera, a very restricted feature set and still a displeasing plastic-feeling. I was as well upset as I had to adjust my lenses over and over again until, and because it turned out that Canon is not able to adjust their lenses to their best possible performance for all camera lines concurrently. I mention all this, because it simply describes the highlights of the D700: All that has gone with the D700: excellent build quality, superb high-iso results, comprehensive feature set, precise and fast focus with all lenses devoid of any adjustments after aquisition.

It makes no sense to explain all the advantages of this camera: buy one, you won't regret. Since I have the D700, there are only two wishes left for a future model: a built-in GPS and an (optional) swivel screen.

PS: The price was 1850  in october 2009 when the Dollar was at about 0,67 

Jul 6, 2010

pc168OfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Mar 9, 2007Location: ChinaPosts: 0

Review Date: Apr 1, 2010

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10

Pros:

The Superb 51-pt AF system (with 3D-tracking and skin tone priority) beats all the competitors. Excellent high ISO performance. With built-in flash.

Cons:

Basically none

I switched from Canon 1DMarkIII. While the MkIII was a good cam, it was just too heavy for walk-around. The 45-pt AF system is not that powerful as it was advertised.

The 5DMkII could be an alternative. However the 9-pt primitive AF system drive me nuts (I also owned a 350D a few years ago). Putting a 21mp sensor in an ancient AF system is weird.

D700 is just fit. Excellent FX sensor packed in a portable camera body but still very good build. The 51-pt AF system is superior than Canon's 45-pt AF system. The ability to focus human face in auto-area AF is awesome. I never had a chance when using the MkIII.

12mp is enough. I don't want to pay more to get more mp. Even the newly released D3S is only 12mp. The built-in flash is also a bonus. It's handy when we need it.

All-in-all, very satisfied! Will use it for years.

Apr 1, 2010

zeebotOfflineBuy and Sell: On

Registered: Apr 7, 2008Location: United StatesPosts: 402

Review Date: Mar 24, 2010

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 8

Pros:

Build quality, high ISO performance, "feel", viewfinder shutter

Cons:

not 100% viewfinder, price of glass that this beast craves

I upgraded from a D300 to a D700. I've used the other FF camera from the other brand and the D700 is simply in a different league.

The build quality and handling is quite good - same as the D300. I love love love the built in viewfinder shutter - all cameras should have this!

The D700 is phenomenal at high ISO handling, however when going about my usual shooting routine I was finding that my pics were not any better than the D300 for my type of shooting.

When the D700 excels is available light and people shooting. Portraits done with this camera are fantastic.

I used primes, cheap zooms and expensive zooms with the D700. I found that the camera craves good (expensive) glass. Pics taken with the 14-24 were simply perfect.

I decided to roll back to a D300S for cost savings and weight savings. For my type of shooting, DX is better. I may pick up a D700 again in the future as a second body - for those circumstances where the D300S just can't cut it.

Mar 24, 2010

marcusparhamOfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Dec 27, 2005Location: United StatesPosts: 59

Review Date: Mar 5, 2010

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $2,700.00
| Rating: 10

Pros:

great feel. great ergonomics. low light shooting. viewfinder

Cons:

none

Using this in conjunction with the D300 gives the best of both worlds. great balance and feel when you add the vertical grip. Shots at iso 3200 and even 6400 will blow you away.

Mar 5, 2010

D.K. OwensOfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: May 6, 2007Location: United StatesPosts: 18

Review Date: Feb 24, 2010

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,200.00
| Rating: 10

Pros:

Excellent camera; well built and convenient.

Cons:

None... Just sold it too soon!

A FF camera with ISO capabilities that exceed the published specs. This camera did in low-light what I never imagined. It nailed shots with only the slightest hint of noise.
Nikon made a statement with this one because the pixel size allowed for low noise to light ratios. Considering the "mere" 12.1 megapixels don't measure up to some of the other market models, boasting megapixel madness, this camera can produce stunning reproductions that if uprezed, will fool the keenest observer.

I have had this camera for just over 3 months and have come to the conclusion that I will be keeping this camera for a long time. It takes great pictures I have attached three lenses to it 28-70, 300 f2.8 and 300 f4 and each time I am very pleased with the results. When you hold the camera it has a nice feel, solid probably not the same as D3 or D3s but you are not paying those prices.
I would recommend this camera to anyone wishing to shoot full frame.

the whole full frame lens thing,although it will shot DX lens too, in DX mode

I jumped the gun when I bought the D700, as I mainly shot sports at the time. I needed the reach of DX so I got a D300 for that
Don't get me wrong the 700 is a very very good sport cam, if you have the long glass to go with it & the grip
but this thing is fantastic with wedding and people fotoging
Recently I went to a fair at night, very low light
brought my 28-70 2.8 & 70-200 2.8 VR
And got a lot of great keepers. I Sat it on auto ISO( max 6400 ) and let it rip
If you shoot fast primes it ain't fair!
I think I'll have this camera a long time.

Thanks NIKON!

Jan 28, 2010

svx94Offline[ X ]

Registered: Mar 25, 2005Location: CanadaPosts: 657

Review Date: Jan 2, 2010

Recommend? |
Price paid: $2,700.00

Pros:

Good IQ, ultimately customizable, great high ISO performance, good LCD capable of checking AF, good balance of pixel count for prosumer use, build-in flash with wireless commander!

Cons:

No tilt/swivel LCD for ground level/overhead shooting, MLU with delay shutter timmer is too short and is not customizable, custom setting is not set as dial/button but has to go through menu,

Using it for over a year now and like it a lot, comparing the Canon 20D, 5D I owned before, the 5DII I tried, and a 40D I am still using. It is a near perfect camera, with something to wish for listed in the Negative aspects above. Will be very hard to justify an upgrade unless something major show up.